I am just so proud of myself staying up to date on stitching this sweetie!

Isn't it looking so darling?!

Stitched on 32 ct. Vintage Examplar

two over two using the *mostly* called for colors (if I don't have one I sub it for another)

I have been notified that there are a few remaining spots in the retreat I am teaching at this spring....

if you are interested, you need to call soon!

Finally....

I have a secret that I want to share.

On Sunday, November 6, 2016, I am going on a most excellent adventure!

I am going to help drive my Dad and Stepmom from Indiana to Fairfield, CA.

We are taking 9 days to get there because...

my Dad has planned stops all along the way to National Parks that I have long dreamed seeing since I was a child. My Dad is a retired Science Teacher. I went to college and graduated with a degree in Biology and Chemistry, in my career I specialized in Microbiology. When I was a little girl, besides reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books, every book Beverly Cleary ever wrote and Judy Blume books...I also read every science book I could get my hands on. Books about bugs, animals, plants, birds you name it, I read it. I read about archaeology, I read about native Americans, evolution, our solar system....if it dealt with the natural world, it was my sort of book.

Long have I dreamed about visiting ALL of the national parks. Starting Nov. 6, my dreams as a little girl and adult will begin to come true! We are driving the first day to Salina, Kansas. Second day, to Denver, Colorado. Third day to Moab, Utah where my park touring will start with Arches National Park. (I might try talking my Dad into seeing Zion too...but we do have an itinerary, so probably a long shot). Then it will be back into Colorado to Mesa Verde and the Cliff Palace. OH MY WORD! I read a book about this place, I don't remember the name of it, but I was a young teenager and I remember it was a fiction book based on non-fiction places. Well I long have remembered that story and that book and have dreamed of Mesa Verde and the cliff side homes. Well I'll be seeing them!!

After Mesa Verde we are headed to the Petrified Forest! Then on to the Grand Canyon and after there we are moving on to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite!

Once we get to Fairfield...

I will get to see my brother, whom I have not seen in nearly 10 years.

I will get to meet in person my nephew and my niece (they just know me from Facetime).

I will be 2 weeks in the Fairfield area and my brother has my time booked, I believe. But I am hoping to drag him with me to meet my long, long time friends, Edgar and Rico

in allowing me to take this precious time away from our own family to visit my extended family and take this awesome trip. I wasn't going to go. Then he encouraged me to go. Then I was just going to get out there and stay a couple of days and fly home and he encouraged me to stay for 2.5 weeks. I will be gone basically the entire month.

I am so excited!

Keith has dubbed this trip as:

"Dave and Von's most excellent adventure!"

LOL! (David is my Dad's name, Keith doesn't call me Vonna - unless I'm in trouble - he shortens my name to "Von" - which I don't particularly care for. I like to be called either Von Marie or Vonna)

So if you all could keep me in your prayers for a safe journey...

and while I am gone from Nov. 6 - Nov. 30 that my family remains safe.

I am excited, yet a little apprehensive. Let's face it I have NEVER done anything like this before.